Mary Lambert’s major-label debut is all heart | New Recordings

It’s no surprise that the title of Mary Lambert’s debut album starts with “Heart.” The word shows up in nearly every song as a metaphor for love, but also self-acceptance. That combination of sincerity and empowerment makes “Heart on My Sleeve” a winning effort, and a surefire hit.

Lambert broke through to the mainstream with her memorable vocal on Macklemore’s hit “Same Love,” and she used that to become the first Macklemore-related local to score a major label deal. But Lambert actually started in poetry slams, and that skill is what drives this album.

Almost every song is self-confessional, none more than opener “Secrets,” where she discloses her bi-polar disorder, but also that she “rock[s] mom jeans.” “They tell us from the time we’re young / to hide the things that we don’t like about ourselves.” Those lyrics are set to infectious radio-ready anthematic pop.

But among her deep confessionals there is also whimsy, including a fun cover of Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” There’s no “heart” in those lyrics, but Lambert’s is always on display in this promising debut.

About us

Seattle Times music coordinator Paul de Barros has written about jazz and pop music for the paper since 1982 and is the author of “Jackson Street After Hours: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle.” On Twitter @pdebarros.

Andrew Matson is a freelance writer and close follower of the Seattle pop music scene – especially the genres of rap, rock and electronic. On Twitter @andrewmatson.

Seattle native Gene Stout has been writing about popular music for more than two decades and has interviewed and profiled many of Seattle’s best-known musicians. On Twitter @popmusiccritic.

Charles R. Cross is a Seattle-based writer who has authored eight books, including the bestselling biography of Kurt Cobain, "Heavier Than Heaven." On Twitter @Charlesrcross.

Charlie Zaillian served as music director of Olympia’s influential KAOS-FM, has a particular affection for punk rock and has freelanced for The Seattle Times since 2011. On Twitter @czaillian

Owen R. Smith is a freelance journalist and music writer, country music aficionado, erstwhile sportswriter and one-time novelist. On Twitter @inanedetails.

Gillian G. Gaar has written extensively about music and popular culture and is the author of several books. On Twitter @GillianGaar.

Mike Ramos is a Seattle native and freelance writer who has followed rap music since the early '90s and can sometimes be heard DJing on KEXP FM. On Twitter: @RAM0S206.

Andrew Gospe is a freelance writer and electronic musician who's called Seattle home since 2009. On Twitter: @gospea.